A former chief detective in West Yorkshire Police joined a panel of experts led by former Metropolitan Police commissioner Lord Stevens as a review on the future of policing opened yesterday.

Chris Gregg, who was head of CID in West Yorkshire, is among a group of senior figures selected to contribute to the “unprecedented” examination of crime prevention in Britain. At the inaugural meeting of the Independent Commission on the Future of Policing, Lord Stevens stressed the inquiry – set up by Labour – would remain independent.

The review, which comes after the Government rebuffed Labour calls for a Royal Commission, will look at what is expected of the police, their role in society and how to equip them to cut crime and increase confidence.